What am I Thinking?

A bit of a different video this week. I’ve had several comments saying my riding is smooth, even when chatting about what's happening and what I’m looking at. I thought it might be good to explain while riding what's going on in my head.
Let me know in the comments if you found it interesting, and if you would like more videos covering riding techniques.
Ride safe,
Dave
My Bikes:
Royal Enfield Classic 350 Royal Enfield 350 machismo with sidecar BMW R1150RT Suzuki GN125 Yamaha 535 Virago
#RoyalEnfieldClassic350reborn #motorbikerides #thatblokeonamotorbike #RoyalEnfield #royalenfieldclassic350 #royalenfield500bullet #motorbikeridesinyorkshire #teaspot #motorbiketeastop #bikercafes #motorbikeriding #motorbikecamping #motorcyclesafety #bikesafe # policeroadcraft

[@palerider67]

Hi Dave As a retired Police Motorcyclist, bike instructor and crash investigator …I was impressed with your video, very good demo of advanced defensive riding and the reasons for it. Used to cover a lot of what you’ve talked about here on BikeSafe weekends, with fellow bike enthusiasts who were wanting to build their skill levels. As it happens I’m about to buy a classic 350 and like you I too am partial to a brew and a bacon cob, when out for a pootle. Continue to enjoy the ride, stay safe & stay well.

[@jefftewson8798]

As a learner rider , ALL that stuff was very very useful to me ; position, mirrors, scanning... Thanks so much. I tend to get stressed when I am riding close to the speed limit and I have someone too close behind who is getting impatient, and that makes me lose concentration ...

[@Wigglesway]

Brilliant video, very thought provoking when you describe the amount of distance travelled at a certain speed, added to that reaction times to a hazard. Keep up the good work with your videos, always good viewing👍🏻

[@andrewgibson5235]

This is the best motorcycle safety video I have seen. The video explained the reasoning behind a lot of the actions that I take when out on the road. It is obvious that you have done some instructing as everything was explained clearly while you were riding. That's not an easy thing to do. I had not noticed how smoothly you ride until you mentioned that it had been commented on by other viewers. They are right as you anticipate and adjust speed accordingly. I was very impressed and would like to see other videos like it.

[@BikeMates]

So refreshing to watch an instructor that doesn’t want to rush you along and go as fast as possible into bends and overtakes just for the sake of 👍

[@tonyplant2337]

Feet per second information was excellent, especially the three terraced houses part. Thank you for a very enjoyable and informative film.

[@andrewiansummers]

Just adding my voice to the comments Dave. Thank you for an excellent training video. I ride a Classic 350 too😊

[@roald-o6i]

I'm all with you, on your observations. I've been driving cars and bikes since 1983. I live in Denmark, we have two major problems, especially on bikes: We're quite few people driving motorbikes all year round, so from late August till early May, we're seen from a distance as moped (20 MPH) drivers with that one headlight. Cause, who's on a bike this time of year...? The other problem, I believe is universal, is smartphones. Anybody goin' somewhere in life, hasn't got time to look through that strange clear screen in front of them, instead they are focused on that little screen resting in their lap...

[@wallybuettner]

Wonderful topic from an obviously experienced rider / driver! This would benefit new and older riders alike! Thank you! Stay safe

[@Duvol]

Thanks Dave. Such an interesting and informative video. I think the practice of narrating your own ride keeps you alert so that observation and anticipation become second nature. I try to apply the IPSGA approach to my riding and it definitely works. Keep up the good work.

[@michaelbrammer2483]

Thanks Dave. Another great video. I have been riding for many years but it never hurts to swat up on road safety. 👍

[@timothyburgess3234]

That was really interesting! I'm a driving instructor, most of that is exactly how I teach it, obviously not so much of changing road position! At times like the vehicle is to close behind I always tell them, "you take control of the situation" like gradually slowing down increasing the gap ahead especially approaching junctions. I know those roads, was following your route, can't work out which way you went to end up in Hooton pagnell! I'll have to and have a look!

[@mitchkerr3059]

Thanks Dave. I appreciate your videos. I took a lot of knowledge from your cornering vid and now this one as well. I hear your voice when I am out riding as I size up the next bend or traffic conditions. Keep up the good work

[@dr.chrismort8448]

Nice advice Dave👍I attended 2 bikesafe courses when getting back into motorcycling after a few years of not riding. The road craft Manual is an eye opener as is commentary . It gets you thinking.

[@msdjamieson]

Well done, I was a driving instructor in a previous life and I know a lot of this information is in the highway code and theory test book. When was the last time the average driver read one. My pet hate is that most drivers hate keeping to speed limits are clearly resentful and surprised that I reduce speed to the limit, or less as appropriate, despite warning signs and limit signs. If they thought the distance they travel at a given speed they might change their habits. Like the women I met yesterday charging past parked cars approaching a T junction outside a school at breakneck speed. The 20mphlimit lights were on!!

[@TheShortyBiker]

Great video, love listening to the ride commentary as always looking to improve my own riding.

[@rodfisher3078]

Great video. Sensible, interesting and thought provoking. I've not seen all your videos so thought you were just interested in the views! 😅 Good to know there's more going on behind the scenes. Keep up the great work

[@glynharper1066]

I still use the things you taught me at Top Run, and that episode reminded me of all the things I still use today, on the bike or driving the camper.

[@PAGallagher]

Great analytical video, Dave. I thought it was just me ........ I quite often think in feet per second when I'm riding, that's the engineer in me 😁 I know what a foot looks like and what a second feels like, makes so much sense. I also use most of your techniques, that's probably my age 😊and fear of broken bones ....... or worse 🤔 Cheers, Phil (Somerset) P.S. I've spoken with you before, a while ago, when I had my Hntr 350 (those J series 350s are fantastic, as you know) Anyway, the Hntr has gone and replaced with the new Guerrilla, just finished running it in 👍

[@quentinbush]

What a bloody good informative video, having passed the advanced car test more years ago than I care to remember, you never forget but I just haven't got round to doing it on my motorcycle. This is a good memory jogger but with age some of us do slow down.

[@FelliniMotorcycle]

Spot on.

[@jasonball9166]

Awesome, great refresher for me as just got back into motorcycling again after many years off for all the usual reasons....life work family commitments

[@darkinadam]

It was a good video to jog the memory .. I haven’t rode a bike for some time. I will again soon when I finally retire in a few months. I’ve been watching lots of classic 350 videos as I can but the idea of the classic 650 also has my interest… I guess we will see what they are like and if they have the old bike charm . You have a great channel, keep up the good work.

[@GrahamHughes-uu1gi]

Great video Dave, great tips for a safe ride out 😊👌

[@oldeconey]

Thoroughly enjoyable and full of common sense....(why are folks in such a damned rush these days )?

[@steveray8056]

Thanks Dave for a fabulous tutorial.

[@chrislaunders8283]

Just passed the roundabout you started the video with, in fact I do so normally several times a week. Last week in Hickleton two lorries hit head on, nightmare road just there, narrow and twisty and a bit blind the last bit.

[@ivormorris1917]

Brilliant Dave, i especially like the feet per second bit ! Very useful 👍, great ride commentary.

[@Peter234100]

A very useful video both for new and experienced riders, as a 70 year old rider was pleasing to see I ride very similar to you . I also think the Classic 350 is the perfect bike to make you a better rider, why I love my Classic so much. 😊

[@TheRmoroni]

i like your style of describing your thought process during the ride .thank you!

[@chrisweeks6973]

Excellent and informative video, Dave! Your defensive riding style is the same as mine and it's helped keep me safe on the roads for the past 62 years. 👍

[@kottomack]

Fantastic advise!

[@andyhewitt7588]

Nice one Dave. As an advanced rider, your video reminded me of a couple of things that I have lost the habit of doing, so thanks for that. A lot of bikers seem to filter very badly, so that may make an interesting subject for you. 😀😀😀😀

[@iandale9044]

Brilliant video Dave great info on your thought process 👏

[@jacksonpauljackson2557]

Another great video thank you 😅

[@MauriceHicks-t4b]

Really sound video - thanks very much.

[@desmondmccabe7239]

Spot on advice from an experienced guy..... What bike does he ride???

[@GromPilot]

An informative video. Thanks so much.

[@markwood9755]

Very useful, Thank you 😀👍

[@PeterWW-W]

Perfect!

[@dinomalta712]

VERY Interesting, I ride like that, as my riding companions in the UK were Police bikers and Moto Paramedics, Knowledge stays with you if you choose to use it.I have been riding for almost 60 years now, many near misses, due to dozy car drivers, but no injuries, or damage to my bikes . Cheers , DINO.

[@nicholasboxall9690]

cracking, very informative.

[@michaelwhite8031]

Good commentary

[@martinowl]

Agree completely about the speed analysis. Many car drivers don’t seem to have a clue, must be the way they are taught these days. The cross roads in Hickleton are a bad accident black spot. The locals are always campaigning to have action taken. Did you go to J&S in the edited out bit between approaching the Sun Inn from both directions? lol. I did the ACU/RAC course probably in 77. It was a good course. I’m sure I have a badge somewhere.

[@Grahamvfr]

As an experienced rider and ex driving instructor, I'd like to say, poor driving is not taught, it's just individuals, some care about their driving, others don't, no matter how they are taught. In the 70s generally only people interested in cars learnt to drive .. now everyone thinks it's a right of passage.

[@hugodm7414]

Noob driver: how fast can i make that curve Experience driver: how fast can i break in that curve

[@andyhewitt7588]

Should you be braking in that curve at all?.? I would not recommend it because braking uses up the grip that you need for cornering. If you get your breaking out of the way before you initiate the turn, you will have all the the available grip during the turn 😀

[@hugodm7414]

When you're making the curve you must be ready and be able to stop the motorcycle/vehicle for many reasons: road debri , animals, people. Of course you need to slow down before entering the curve, where's the doubt on that?

[@Bob-xc2us]

Thanks Dave. Excellent tutorial for the otherwise uninformed.

[@jameshunter2993]

Ah reminds me of my standard B course when I thought my instructor wasn't listening to my commentary when I included a joke about road humps and humping in the road. Eh he was listening .... That cost me another 5 minutes of commentary I never felt so exhausted on a driving course.

[@cleeveofford1720]

Nice gloves Dave.

[@jonfranklin4999]

Hello..